19Mining permissions.N.I.
(1)Where mines and minerals of any description are vested in the Ministry, and any person—
(a)desires to obtain permission to work minerals of that description in small quantities by means of such mines or otherwise, and
(b)satisfies the Ministry that, on account of the small value or quantity of the minerals which he desires to work, or the limited period for which he desires to work them, or for any other reason, the permission required is of minor importance and will not materially affect the deposit of minerals vested in the Ministry,
the Ministry, on the application of that person, may grant him permission (in this Act referred to as a “mining permission” ) to work minerals of that description, whether by any such mines or otherwise.
(2)Every mining permission shall be in writing and shall be expressed and shall operate to confer on the person to whom it is granted a right to work mines and minerals of the description specified therein, but subject to such restrictions as to the quantity of minerals to be worked and the duration of working as may be so specified.
(3)A mining permission shall not operate to confer on the grantee thereof an exclusive mining right in respect of the mines and minerals to which the permission relates.